DETAILS

Escondido's Grape Day Park

Where: 321 N. Broadway, next to City Hall.

Features: Heritage Walk; Vinehenge, a grape-themed play structure; picnic tables; horseshoe pits; Escondido History Center, where visitors can play giant chess and checkers games; a military tribute wall; an old train car; the historic Santa Fe Depot; a blacksmith shop; a Victorian house; a fountain; and James A. Stone Swimming Pool.

Proposed improvements: More flowers and trees; a bigger playground; a gazebo; more lights and picnic tables; fitness trails; a water feature and a water-play area; expanded steps at the train depot to serve as a bandstand or stage; snack shop; and a dog park.

What's next: The Escondido History Center and Friends of Grape Day Park will apply for grants to improve the park.

ESCONDIDO — The 124-year-old Grape Day Park that was once the pride of Escondido might regain some of its glory with a series of proposed improvements.

The 10-acre park, a downtown historic landmark bordered by City Hall and the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, is underused most days. That is despite a fountain, a play structure colored and shaped like giant grapes and grapevines, and historical treasures that include an 1888 Santa Fe Depot, an 1890 Victorian house, an 1895 library where the Escondido History Center is located and a 1929 train car.

According to a survey of residents, the main reasons for the lack of activity is the homeless people who loiter there, and a dearth of family activities.

Big crowds are seen only on a few occasions, including July 4, when the American Legion holds a program that includes bands and fireworks; New Year's Eve, when First Night Escondido offers an alcohol-free celebration; and for the Grape Day Festival in September.

Although city officials say crime at the park is low, residents are not convinced.

In a survey conducted over the past year by the Escondido History Center, 70 percent of the 423 people who responded said they are concerned about safety because of the homeless people at the park, day and night.

That is a groundless perception, said Escondido police Lt. David Mankin, a member of the group Friends of Grape Day Park.

The park is safe, Mankin said. In the past year, the police only received two or three calls about fights at the park after dark.

As far as Mankin could recall, no one has reported being the victim of violent crime there, he said.

“(The homeless) are in every park. They are not always as visible as they are here,” said Wendy Barker, the history center's director. “It is not our goal to kick them out. We don't have the resources. Our whole strategy is to increase the number of users, and (the homeless) will leave or blend in.”

Grant money

To return the park to the hub it was when Escondido celebrated grape harvests there, the history center obtained a $25,000 grant from the San Diego Foundation. Part of the money was used to conduct the survey through community meetings.

Of the 423 people who responded, 17 percent said they never use the park. Fifty percent said they use it one to four times a year, and 20 percent said five to 12 times a year. Thirteen percent said they go there 13 times or more a year.

Residents want a bigger playground; fitness trails; more picnic tables and restrooms; a stage; a fun water feature, such as a mister or water-shooter; a gazebo; better lighting; art and fitness classes; concerts; and art and craft shows.

With the help of a consultant, the history center drafted a preliminary master plan that included:

Walkways.

A community garden.

An expanded play area with a splash pad.

Exercise stations.

Wider stairs at the train depot to double as a stage.

Flowers, native plants and trees.

A walkway lined with lights and art, linking the park's parking lot on Woodward Avenue to Maple Street. The city has budgeted $1.2 million to turn a block of Maple Street between Valley Parkway and Grand Avenue into a pedestrian plaza dedicated to festivals and fairs. Work should begin next July.

More ideas

When the Downtown Business Association heard of the park effort, CEO Thora Guthrie, who had been executive director of the Visalia Parks and Recreation Foundation, suggested:

Mobilizing the community to build a community playground to promote a sense of ownership.

Using giant chess and checkers sets that the history center bought recently to hold tournaments.

Promoting “Mommy and Me” playtime and lunches at the park, with the city providing milk and cookies.

Promoting business and city meetings in the park.

Hosting weekly music festivals.

“A downtown park is of utmost importance to the city,” Guthrie said. “Cities that don't have them stay dead. Creating elements to attract more families in the park drive away bad elements.”

The idea of bringing activity to the park excited the City Council, which endorsed the improvement plans last month.

Councilwoman Olga Diaz said she hopes the city can acquire surrounding properties, when they become available, to expand the park.

As for the most important element in the plan – money – the city cannot offer any help. It is struggling with a $6.7 million deficit in its $75.4 million general fund this fiscal year.

Barker and Friends of Grape Day Park will apply for grants to install new features, piece by piece, starting with the least-expensive items. They include flowers and trees, programs, a bigger playground and a performance space, probably by expanding the steps of the train depot.